What About Loyalty

Chapter 14

Since I got suspended on a Friday, the next time I was able to set foot on school grounds would be on a Monday. Sure enough, on the third Monday of December, I got up at 5:40 in the morning and got back to my usual before-school ritual. I'll admit, it was a bit empty without my parents, then I remembered one of them damn near killed me and the other wanted to throw me out of the house.

When the bus arrived at my stop, the bus driver was surprised to see me. "Oh, hi, Harv," she said to me. "Back in school, huh?"

"Yup," I replied, "and I wouldn't have it any other way." I was telling the truth, too. Despite its benefits, staying in the house on your own for two weeks straight can drive a guy a little cuckoo.

I walked to my seat at the back, and sure enough, George was in his spot. "Harvey!" he exclaimed as soon as he saw me. "Where ya been, man?"

"Home," I answered. "Ludot had me kicked outta school for two weeks."

"So I heard. Oh, and last Wednesday during gym, Baxter pulled me aside and talked about you."

My eyes lit up as soon as I heard this information. "He did? What'd he say?"

"He told me about how he knew about your plan to join the football team. He thought about letting you play, but because of your suspension, he's changed his mind."

"I figured that. I kinda lost interest in trying to join anyway." You cannot believe how many hidden truths I was telling. No matter what lengths I would go to to get what I want, they all seem to backfire; at least when it came to activities and clubs.

When the bus finally arrived at school and we were allowed to get off, I walked into the building with much more enthusiasm than ever.

As I walked towards my locker, I made a solemn vow to not get in anymore trouble in school. I also promised myself not to indulge in any s****l urges or temptations for the rest of the school year, be it real or imaginary.